CHARLOTTE, N.C. — — Jimmie Johnson on Wednesday revealed his rebranded NASCAR staff and stated he’ll drive the No. 84 — the reverse of his longtime No. 48 — when the seven-time champion competes for Legacy Motor Membership.

Legacy Motor Membership replaces Petty GMS, the title the two-car Cup staff had final 12 months when Maury Gallagher grew to become the first proprietor of Richard Petty’s group. Johnson purchased into the possession group in November, and with two of NASCAR’s seven-time champions a part of the staff, the title change was becoming.

“With the addition of Jimmie in an possession function, we knew change was inevitable along with his expertise and information,” stated Gallagher, who’s coming into his second 12 months of Cup possession.

“Our objective is to win races, win championships and to characterize our companions by performing on the highest degree. The brand new picture of Legacy M.C. is one thing that can permit us to face out and foster a staff setting that breeds success.”

Legacy M.C. will discipline a pair of full-time Chevrolets for Erik Jones in Petty’s famed No. 43, and Noah Gragson will be a part of the staff within the No. 42 this season. Johnson, who has to date solely introduced he’ll enter the Daytona 500 subsequent month, will pilot the No. 84 when he races.

Johnson drove the No. 48 for his whole Cup profession with Hendrick Motorsports, in addition to the final two seasons in IndyCar. Alex Bowman presently drives Johnson’s outdated No. 48 at Hendrick, forcing Johnson to discover a new quantity for his NASCAR return.

“After brainstorming in regards to the new title of our staff, Maury and I acknowledged the chance to do one thing particular and completely different,” Johnson stated. “We felt it was vital to have a reputation that honored the previous and acknowledged the longer term. The time period ‘Motor Membership’ is a nod to automobile golf equipment of the previous. Legacy M.C. might be an inclusive membership for the car racing fanatic.

“I’m excited to be part of a narrative so wealthy in heritage and sit up for creating a brand new legacy on this sport outdoors of the race automobile.”

Johnson advised The Related Press later Wednesday he is nonetheless engaged on his 2023 schedule, together with partnership bulletins. Carvana, which sponsored Johnson’s two seasons of IndyCar, stated it will likely be his sponsor for the Daytona 500. Johnson is a two-time Daytona 500 winner.

He stated operating the all-star exhibition race at North Wilkesboro Speedway continues to be excessive on his precedence listing, however he acknowledged that it conflicts with Indianapolis 500 qualifying. Johnson made his Indy 500 debut final season — turning laps at over 240 mph — earlier than qualifying twelfth and crashing late to complete twenty eighth.

“The All-Star race is de facto excessive on my private listing, so I hope to do it, however there’s the Indy 500 piece that’s on the market on the IndyCar aspect and that will be a battle,” Johnson advised the AP, including that Chip Ganassi Racing is awaiting a call from him.

“I do know that CGR wants a call quickly. They will allocate engine units and nonetheless attempting to get the items to fall into place, and a part of that’s from sponsorship perspective,” Johnson added.

He stated he does have permission to race a Honda for Ganassi at Indianapolis despite the fact that he now owns a Chevrolet staff in NASCAR and can drive Chevys in a handful of Cup races. Johnson is just not planning to enter the exhibition Conflict on the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum later this month however will attend as a staff proprietor.

Johnson will take a look at NASCAR’s second-year Subsequent Gen automobile for the primary time later this month at Phoenix. He additionally is anticipated to be introduced later this month as one of many three drivers for NASCAR’s Storage 56 program on the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

As for the becoming title change of his new NASCAR staff, Petty, Johnson and the late Dale Earnhardt are the one drivers to win seven Cup titles.

“There couldn’t be a greater title to suit our race staff than Legacy,” Petty stated. “The ‘Motor Membership’ is an ideal match as a result of we wish our followers to drag for the entire staff. After I see the No. 42 & 43 automobiles, irrespective of who the motive force was, is presently or may very well be sooner or later, I would like our followers to recollect the Petty historical past that comes with them, and that historical past will proceed to be made.”

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AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing and https://twitter.com/AP–Sports activities